Police: Man tried to smuggle handcuff keys into jail

Published: Tuesday, December 3, 2013 at 9:57 a.m.

Last Modified: Tuesday, December 3, 2013 at 9:57 a.m.

A High Springs man was arrested Monday evening after police say he led an officer on a bicycle chase and later smuggled two handcuff keys into the jail.

A High Springs Police Department officer was on patrol when he noticed Joshua Romanoff, 20, of 25046 NW 210th Lane, on a bicycle at 6:51 p.m. near the Capitol City Bank on Northeast Santa Fe Boulevard, the police report said.

Because the bank was closing, the officer tried to make contact with Romanoff, but when the officer crossed the street to enter the parking lot, Romanoff took off on his bicycle away from the bank, the report said.

After a search on foot, officials finally found Romanoff in a resident’s yard. Romanoff told police he ran because he wanted to see how long it would take the officer to catch him but said he couldn’t answer why he was in the bank parking lot, the report said.

Police said Romanoff was wearing all black clothing with red and white bandanas around his neck. He also was wearing camouflage gloves and had a knife clipped to his pocket, the report said.

At the Alachua County jail, staff found a handcuff key hidden in Romanoff’s mouth and in his right sock. When asked by the jail staff why he had concealed handcuff keys, he said he did not have an answer, the report said.

Romanoff was charged with two counts of smuggling contraband, two counts of obstructing police and one count of loitering, according to the police report. He remained at the jail Tuesday in lieu of $17,500 bail.

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